Hello, I'm going to study master's for Aerospace Engineering in Europe (I've not decided the country yet) as a non-UK/EU/US student and planning to continue with PhD. I've read in several websites that taking a taught or research master's course effects your ability to find a funded PhD course upon completion. Is it true that students who complete a MSc or MPhil by research can get accepted to a funded PhD course more easily than the students who complete taught master's? Also what difference does it makes to be a MSc or MPhil in the eyes of a PhD funder? What are you toughts and what do you advise to a person who is on square one of his postgraduate studentship?

I think research masters are better because they prepare you better for PhD research. I think supervisors know this. On the other hand, I had a taught masters and it didn't stop me from getting a PhD,

Generally people would have a MSc or MRes, rather than a MPhil. MPhils are sometimes awarded when a person doesn't finish/pass their PhD so submits for an MPhil instead.

I would say do an MRes if you can, but if not, a taught MSc is fine.

Also bear in mind that you don't need an MSc to get on to a PhD, but it will strengthen your application and make your PhD easier as you will be more knowledgeable.

Thanks for the quick feedback TreeofLife. In addition to the information you've given, I'm looking forward to get accepted to a PhD which I'll be able to get funded for tuition fees and even a monthly salary/bursary. Those kind of PhD courses often includes a project or research invested from an external source or university itself. With that in mind, which master's study would highlight me most when applying for that kind of funded PhD?

Also, other then MSc, MRes and MPhil, where does "MSc by Research" stands?

So yes, to get on to a PhD it's slightly better to have a MRes (same as MSc by Reseach), if the two masters were very similar. If you have a very subject-relevant MSc, then that may be better than a MRes in a less relevant subject area.

But really, I actually don't think it matters that much for a PhD application. The interview is far more important - where they are going to be assessing you on ability to learn, resilience, enthusiasm, likeability and how you will fit in with the PhD group.

If there are exceptional candidates, maybe the choice of masters comes into play, but I don't think it's the most important factor in the majority of cases.